Tom, Tim, and Tony were inseparable friends. They went everywhere and did everything together, even skiing in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. And during this ski trip, Tony decided to venture off the designated track, away from the rest of the group. But unbeknownst to him, he was swiftly skiing toward the edge of a precipice. Tom and Tim could see the inevitable danger from their vantage point.

“Tony, get back here!” yelled Tom. “You’re going to kill yourself on that cliff! Tim, we’ve got to get him back on track!” But Tim shockingly retorted, “That’s not very loving. Just let him do what he wants. Who are you to judge? If you offend him, he will probably never ski again!”

Which of the two friends genuinely loved Tony? The answer is obvious: Tom. He was willing to spoil Tony’s fun to save his life. Tim was unloving to the highest degree because he wanted Tony to just enjoy himself, even if it meant ending his life. Tim’s love was all talk, whereas Tom’s love was all walk. Tom loved Tony enough to tell him the truth about his bad decision and do what was necessary to save him from destruction.

Sometimes, fellow believers veer off the narrow path of piety toward a precipice of destruction. And in such moments, it is eternally exigent for other believers to lovingly warn them and extend a helping hand to guide them back to the route of righteousness. The Bible commands, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James similarly admonished, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

It may be difficult to tell someone the truth about their sinful choices, but it is ultimately unloving to watch a brother or sister destroy themselves without doing or saying anything. As a matter of fact, the Scripture says that we should at the very least say something, and say it lovingly: “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Moreover, one of the most important jobs for believers in the local church is mutual encouragement and exhortation, in which we compassionately correct one another when we are in the wrong: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Will you patiently and lovingly correct believers who are wandering? And will you humbly submit to such correction when you wander?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky. 

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: